brass wire gauze of from sixty to eighty meshes to the square inch, which permits a free ingress to the water while excluding the sand. Upon this other lengths are attached and driven down. The wooden point is an invention of Mr. Halstead, and admits three times the water of the old iron point. In putting down the iron pump, the same process is pursued. In placing the tubular pump no digging is required. The water is bored down to from the surface, the sand pumped up from inside a cylinder, a point is then dropped down, protected by leather to keep out the sand, and the proper connections made. These are usually from two to two and a half inches, inside diameter, and are considered the best for deep wells. Some are in use at Salem 150 feet in length. They cost a third more than the wood, but can be placed where the others cannot be. The force pump sold is that of Talman & Clough; it has the latest improvement in having a movable air-chamber, made of a section of gas-pipe, which can be readily renewed in case of accident. Diameter of pipe used is 1 inches; hose -inch, with a nozzle of 4-inch, which will throw a stream of water over a two-story house. Mr. Halstead came to the city in 1859, and was engaged in his profession as a builder till 1877, when he became Sheriff, and, at the expiration of a term of two years, went into his present vocation. He commenced in a small way, and now has an average sale of 100 dozen pumps annually.

Sash, Doors and Mouldings.-The factory of Ole Larsen, which is devoted to the above specialties, is situated at the head of Pearl street; it is a two story frame of 24x60. He began work at this location in 1866, with four hands; he now frequently employs from twenty-five to thirty during the summer, which number runs down to from six to ten in the winter. Upon the first floor is an engine-room of 20x20, with an engine of twenty-five horse power, one planer and matcher, with a capacity of from 8,000 to 10,000 feet of lumber per day; one sticker, one tenroning machine, two buzz saws, one cross-cut, one jig saw, one emory stone, etc. The second floor contains saws, panel raiser, turning laths, grooving machines, etc. About 250,000 feet of lumber are used yearly, while the sales amount to from $25,000 to $30,000. Of his employes two-thirds are men of family, having a total of sixty-six souls depending upon their efforts. To these nine more should be added, making seventy-five persons directly dependent upon this factory for a livelihood. The monthly pay roll foots up $300.

Öle Larsen, the proprietor, was born at Berid, Norway, in 1838. He was married to Randina Anderson in 1862, and has a family of seven children. He was educated in the public schools of his native country, and, when he became of age, passed five years in army service. He had a professional training as a builder, commencing at the age of fourteen and a half years, and has been constantly engaged in its practical application; came to La Crosse directly from Norway in 1866, and engaged in business at his present stand. For a number of years after his coming, he was engaged largely in building. He was employed in erecting the Rodolf, Solberg and Mons Anderson Blocks, as also from two to three hundred of the smaller class of residences in the city of La Crosse. He had the contract for building the court house in Viroqua, Vernon Co., where he also built a number of Norwegian churches. He is connected with lumber logging and sawing interests, and is a member of the firm of Ole Larsen & Co., in Centralia, Wood Co., Wis., which has a saw-mill and lumber business at that point.

Norton & Keeler, manufacturers of fanning-mills, corner of Badger and Third streets. In 1861, a fanning-mill manufactory was established at the head of Pearl street, by Henry M. Hart and H. L. Norton, and, for a number of years, the business was conducted under this firm name with great success. In 1874, H. C. Hart became an active member of the firm, and the business was continued under the firm name of Hart & Norton. In 1875, their place of business was removed from the head of Pearl street, to the corner of Badger and Third streets, where it is at present carried on. In 1877, occurred the death of Henry M. Hart, one of the original founders of the business, and the most active member of the firm. In 1878, the firm name was changed to Hart, Norton & Co., comprising H. C. Hart, H. L. Norton and H. E. Keeler, remaining so until the spring of 1881, when Mr. Norton and Mr. Keeler purchased the interest of Mr. Hart, and the firm became Norton & Keeler. In addition to the manufacture of these implements, the firm also manufacture portable milk and food safes, screen doors, harrows, etc., employing a force of thirty hands. The investment is quoted at $30,000.

Skiff Yard.-In 1877, the Messrs. Lovejoy came to the city from Ogdensburg, N. Y., where they had been professional skiff-builders, and engaged in the same employment here. They introduced the St. Lawrence River model and style. These are the noted Clinker skiffs, and are made from ten to twenty feet in length. They build boats of all varieties to order, from the light hunting-boat, which can be carried on a man's shoulders, to the most pretentious craft. One of the latter, and the very first they built, was sold for over $100, and was the one chosen to accompany Capt. Boyton, the adventurous swimmer, from St. Paul to La Crosse, by the reporters of the newspapers.

They make a specialty of light, strong, small hunting-boats of from ten to twelve feet in length, and of only forty to seventy-five pounds in weight These boats are all strengthened by from forty to seventy-five rock-elm ribs, and are made of the best clear selected pine. Often in making boats to order, they are made of cedar. They often have calls for models by parties who desire to make their own boats. These they make from their own designs, and will furnish patterns on demand, for the round, sharp and square stern, or any variety that may be required. During the first year they made some twenty-five boats, while in the winter of 1880 alone, they turned out twenty, showing a most gratifying increase in business.

La Crosse Furniture Association-Manufacturers and wholesale dealers in all kinds of furniture, corner of Second and Jay streets. About twenty-five years ago, Stephen Moeser came to La Crosse and began the manufacture of furniture on a small scale. Year by year his business increased, and in 1865, he built what is now known as the "old shop," on the corner of Second and Jay streets. Here he continued the manufacture of all kinds of furniture, until 1878, when, on August 1, his extensive business was disposed of to the La Crosse Furniture Association, himself retaining an interest, and being elected President of the organization. In 1874, the business had increased to such an extent that more commodious quarters were necessary, and Mr. Moeser built the large three-story brick building adjoining the old shop, at a cost of $4,000. This he fitted with modern machinery, and, with his increased. facilities, the manufacture of furniture by Stephen Moeser became one of the leading interests of the city. In August, 1878, the La Crosse Furniture Company took possession, and made various improvements in buildings and machinery. This firm now does a large jobbing trade through Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota. Thirty men are constantly employed in the different departments. The buildings used by the association in their extensive business, are the "old shop," 20x70 feet, one and a half stories high, the lower floor for finishing purposes and the upper for storeroom; the east building, 30x60 feet, one and a half stories high, is used for storeroom and finishing department. The basement and first floor of the main or brick building, is used for machinery, the second and third floors for putting the furniture together. The fast increasing business of this firm is ample evidence that the goods manufactured by them are of a superior order, and command the patronage they so justly merit. The present officers of the La Crosse Furniture Association are, President and Business Manager, W. F. Moeser; Secretary, W. Weigel; Treasurer, Charles Zuba.

R. Schilling & Co., soap manufacturers. In 1859, R. Schilling established a soap manufactory on Ninth street, between Pine and Badger streets. The business was conducted there until 1862, when it was moved to its present site, corner of Division and Cross streets, where it has since been successfully operated. In 1872, occurred the death of Mr. Schilling, after which, for a brief period, the business was conducted by Mrs. Schilling, when I. Schilling became a partner in conducting of the affairs, under the firm name of I. Schilling & Co. Between 6,000 and 8,000 pounds of soap are manufactured weekly, necessitating the employment of four men. Nearly all of this is sold to the wholesale and retail merchants of La Crosse, who dispose of it throughout all sections of the country. The yearly sales amount to $12,000. Besides the manufacture of soap, large quantities of tallow candles are also made. Until recently, the soap manufactured consisted of laundry soap only, but the firm has undertaken the manufacture of castile, cocoanut, glycerine and other soaps, for the toilet use, and have in contemplation the manufacture of several other kinds. Until a few months ago, the soap

was manufactured by means of large kettles over a fire, but recent improvements of considerable extent have been made, and steam is now employed.

La Crosse Woolen Mills.-Established by Franz Blashek, at No. 78 South Eighth street during the year 1860, with a capital of about $4,000, including the cost of improvements, viz.: A two-story brick building, 30x60 finished and furnished, The business was conducted by Mr. Blashek, making extensive improvements from time to time, until his death, which occurred July 19, 1875, when Robert Blashek assumed the superintendency. The old machinery in

1879, was abandoned, and new and improved machinery substituted, at a cost of $6,000. Aside from the main building, are three others, each 20x20, one being used as the dyeing room, another as the fulling and wash room, and the the third as a batting room. Mr. Blashek employs eight hands, at a weekly compensation of $15. These are mostly girls from fifteen to twenty years of age. They manufacture yearly, 1.000 yards of common cassimere, 2,000 yards. of flannel, 1,500 pounds of yarn, about 100 pairs of blankets, aside from this, doing a large amount of custom work. The yearly sales amount to $8,000. The goods are sold mostly at the mill, although a large amount are shipped to markets throughout the Northern and Western parts of Wisconsin as also in all parts of Dakota. The capital invested amounts to $15,000.

West Wisconsin Vinegar Works-Were established in 1870 by C. Culler and John Gruber on Ferry street, between Ninth and Tenth. They built a small building, and began the manufacture of vinegar. In 1871, Mr. Goethe purchased the interest of Mr. Culler, and the firm was then known as Goethe & Gruber. Upon the death of Mr. Gruber in 1877, Mr. Goethe became sole proprietor, since when he has made extensive improvements, and now has a building for the manufacture of vinegar about 25x50. Two men are employed in the manufactory, making about 2,000 barrels of vinegar per year, which is shipped to the northern parts of Wisconsin and Minnesota, as well as all parts of Dakota. In connection with the manufacture of vinegar, Mr. Goethe does a large jobbing business in cider, selling from 300 to 500 barrels per year. The yearly receipts amount to about $15,000.

Gustav Carl, manufacturer of soda water, etc. In 1867, Gustav Carl and August Zoehrlant established a soda-water factory on Sixth street, where the old summer garden used to be, under the firm name of Gustav Carl & Co. In 1870, Mr. Zoehrlant purchased the entire interest of Mr. Carl, and afterward sold the entire manufactory to Julius Ochlitz, who removed to the corner of Third and Division streets in 1872. In 1870, Mr. Carl established another factory at Nos. 77 and 79 Third street. In 1873 occurred the death of Mr. Ochlitz, when Mr. Carl purchased his entire interest of the heirs, which he soon afterward sold to Willoughby & Raymond, of Hixton, who conducted it for some time, but owing to a failure of payment on their part, Mr. Carl was forced to again become its proprietor. He sold it again in 1878, this time to H. Gilbert, of Sioux Falls, Dakota Territory. Mr. Carl has since the establishment of his business on Third street, conducted it with eminent success, manufacturing in 1880 11,363 boxes, each box containing two dozen bottles; the sales yearly amounting to $9,000. Most of this is shipped into the northern parts of Wisconsin and the southern parts of Minnesota. Besides the manufacture of soda water, he also manufactures a large amount of lemon beer, ginger ale, cider and seltzer water. The machinery for the manufacture of soda water was procured of the Hart Manufacturing Company of Chicago, at a cost of $1,125. It consists of copper material, with silver linings. Besides this, he has three bottling machines which were procured at a cost of $300, and a large wind-mill for the pumping of the necessary amount of water used. The building averages in size 30x90, including an ice house 18x32. Underneath is a basement and three cellars, each 18x32, one being directly underneath the ice house, making an ample and cool cellar for the storage, in the summer time, of the manufactured articles.

G. R. Montague, steam marble works. In 1866, this gentleman became interested in the La Crosse Marble Works in conjunction with other parties, whose interests he purchased in 1868, since which time he has been sole proprietor. He was then located opposite his present stand, from which he moved in 1869 to the southeast corner of Front and State streets, a site he occupied till 1871. In that year, he erected his present building on Front street, a substan

tial three-story brick, 25x90, at a cost of $10,000 upon a lot of 62x150, all being given up to the business exclusively. At this stand, steam power was employed, and the business from that time was known as the La Crosse Steam Marble Works. All kinds of marbles and granites are used, the supply of the former coming from Italy and Vermont, and the latter from Scotland, Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts. The best landing on the river is immediately in the rear of his store, as are also the double rail tracks affording access to cars of all branches of the important railways of the Northwest. In the thirteen years in which Mr. Montague has been in the

marble business it has increased 400 per cent, being fourfold its original dimensions. From five to fifteen hands are employed, and $40,000 in capital invested.

Pamperin's Cigar Manufactory.-In the spring of 1866, John Pamperin came to this city from Watertown, bringing with him three cigar-makers and a small stock of tobacco for the purpose of establishing a factory. He rented a small, one-story frame building on the east side of Second street, near Pearl, and established himself, doing a fair business from the start. In the autumn of the same year he removed to the little room in the Robbins House, now occupied as a barber-shop. In this place he built up an immense trade, selling as high as $700 worth of cigars in a single day. In order to meet the requirements of such a trade, he was obliged to handle

large numbers of cigars manufactured by others. Having made a popular hit on several brands of his own manufacture, it soon became necessary to secure more commodious quarters, and in 1868, he removed to his present location. Since then, notwithstanding the hard times and stagnation of other business, he has continued to prosper, until 1880, a third story had to be placed on his establishment to accomodate the demands made upon it. Since the first year the business has increased more than tenfold, notwithstanding the fact that owing to the decrease in prices nearly double the amount of manufactured goods must be turned out now to represent the same amount as in the flush times when it was first established. The third story is a large room, 44x78 feet, with excellent ventilation, and light obtained from twenty windows, six in front, six in the rear, and four on each side. In this room are employed forty-six men as cigar-makers, from twelve to twenty boys as strippers, and three packers under charge of a foreman. With this force, 12,000 cigars are manufactured daily, and they receive a weekly compensation of about $300. In the room are five large section tables with accommodations for eight men at each, and ten or a dozen single tables in other parts of the room. At the landing at the top of the stairs is a small room provided with washing apparatus, individual wardrobes, etc., which is in fact intended as a sort of waiting-room for the men when they arrive in advance of the appointed hour for them to begin work. In carrying on an institution of this kind the utmost system is necessary in order to keep out of the clutches of the revenue officers. The raw material from which the cigars are made has to be weighed out and delivered to each man on commencing work in the morning and at noon, and he has to account for every ounce of it to the foreman; the latter has to render his account to the proprietor, who in turn has to satisfy the Government. For this reason a cigar factory of the demensions of this one has to be run on rules as strict as those which govern the printing of bank notes or railroad coupon tickets. The second story of this establishment, which was formerly the manufacturing department, is now used as a stock room. There are at present about ninety cases of leaf tobacco on this floor, representing the tobacco crop of Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin. The former is the favorite, although could the local prejudice be removed against Wisconsin tobacco, it is in every way its equal, and in fact has been known to deceive, not only the smoker, but the cigar-makers themselves. Of course every smoker in the city is familiar with the store and display room on the ground floor. The most mysterious part of this floor is the "Government line," which is almost as arbitrary as was the celebrated dead line of Andersonville or Libby Prisons, and should any box of cigars the line without pass 66 a passport" in the shape of a revenue stamp, it would be spotted by the "argus-eyed" revenue man, and a large fine imposed on the proprietor. Thus, while the room in the front part of the store is supplied with goods, the larger portion of the cigar stock is carried behind this partition and is not stamped until sold, as no one is likely to buy goods until he has examined them, the boxes can be opened at any time, while if they were stamped, a new stamp would have to be put on each box broken open. In the basement or cellar are kept the Havana goods, which require a certain amount of moisture for their preservation. Mr. Pamperin confines his business to his own manufacture, and a few of the choicest imported cigars. To his celebrated brands, "Belle of La Crosse," and "La flor de Espana," which are made of imported material, he has added others of like grade. He manufactures the "Navigator." "Sweet Henry," and "Stubbs," as nickle cigars, and has also added to this variety. Should the manufactory be run to its fullest capacity, it would require at least $20,000 to pay for the stamps that would be used. In May, 1880, Mr. Pamperin sold 135,000 cigars, for an amount exceeding $6,000. His yearly sales amount to about $60,000.

BREWERIES.

The City Brewery-Located at the corner of Third and Mississippi streets, was established in 1858 by John Gund and Gottlieb Heileman, and is an enterprise of great value. The premises consist of the brewery proper, malt-house, ice-house and bottling department, all of stone, and erected at a liberal outlay. At first, but a limited quantity of beer was placed upon the